loosely
/ˈluːsli/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
In a loose manner.
Adverb
Examples
Then she fell back on the altar and her fingers dangled loosely on its edge, her feet uncrossed and lay beside each other.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Not tightly.
Adverb
Examples
Insert all the bolts loosely, then tighten them.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “loosely” mean?
In a loose manner.
Is “loosely” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.